What does judo mean?
Judo is a Japanese martial art and Olympic combat sport centered on balance, timing, movement, and controlled grappling. Its practitioners use throws, pins, and submissions rather than striking as the central methods of competition. The sport is organized into weight categories, and athletes aim to score by throwing an opponent or controlling them on the ground. Although judo is a physical discipline, its training also emphasizes discipline, respect, confidence, and composure. The word is commonly used in phrases such as “take up judo,” “practice judo,” and “a judo tournament.” Judo developed in Japan as a modern system of physical education and self-cultivation, and it is now taught worldwide in schools, clubs, and national sporting organizations.
nounJudo is a Japanese martial art whose practice emphasizes throws, pins, and controlled use of force. It is also used as a competitive sport, with athletes competing by weight category and performing recognized techniques.
- A Japanese martial art and Olympic combat sport involving throws, pins, and grappling techniques.
"She has practiced judo for years and now teaches it to local children."
"The judo competition was held on a traditional tatami mat."
"He studied judo to improve his balance, discipline, and physical confidence."
Judo is a martial art built around the idea that gentleness and control can be more effective than brute force.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does judo come from?
The English word is borrowed from Japanese jūdō, usually analyzed as jū, meaning “gentle” or “soft,” and dō, meaning “way” or “path.” Japanese compounds ending in -dō also appear in martial arts such as aikidō and kendō, while jū is associated with terms such as jūjutsu. The modern form developed in Japan in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and was subsequently adopted internationally.
How judo is actually used
Judo is generally used as an uncountable noun when referring to the art or sport: practice judo, take up judo, or a judo competition. The term may also refer to the broader practice and philosophy associated with the martial art, depending on context.